It's February, a month dedicated to the celebration of Black history. I want to honor the incredible impact of Black women who have shaped the course of our democracy.

From Sojourner Truth, who fought for both abolition and women’s suffrage, to Fannie Lou Hamer, whose courage and activism helped secure voting rights for millions, to Stacey Abrams, whose tireless efforts have energized modern voter engagement, Black women have been at the forefront of the fight for equality and justice. Their stories remind us that the work of building a more inclusive democracy requires both persistence and vision.

 Let us honor these trailblazers by continuing to advocate for policies that ensure every voice is heard. Together, we can make a difference!

I hope you'll join me at Democracy in a Cup, our coffee with local and state elected officials on Feb. 15th. 

Barb Clark

The presence of Eleanor Cox Riggs will be missed, and her legacy will be admired.  Eleanor passed away on December 31, 2024 in West Lafayette. The LWV Greater Lafayette celebrated her 60 years of membership and service at the Annual Meeting 2023.

Eleanor Cox Riggs was interested in politics her whole life, from dinner table discussions about government, politics, and current events with her lawyer father to taking a class on the Bill of Rights at age 89. She collected all sorts of political memorabilia throughout her life, and recently donated a large part of her collection to the Vigo County Historical Museum in her home town of Terre Haute.

Eleanor joined the League of Women Voters in Lafayette in 1963 immediately upon moving to the community. Her first activity in the field of government was registering voters. Many of our members say they first joined the League when they were new to the community and were approached by Eleanor to register to vote and to join the League.

Eleanor received her Bachelor of Arts in English and History in 1955 (Phi Beta Kappa) from Indiana University, and taught 4^th grade English while supporting her husband in medical school. Her 1982 Master of Arts degree from I.U. is in Social Studies Education. Eleanor founded the I.U. Fan Club at Westminster Village and she endowed a faculty position at I.U. from the Eleanor Cox Riggs Professorship and Ethics Fund. Kappa Kappa Gamma social sorority also claims her as a 60+ year member.

Long active in the Republican party, Eleanor was a precinct committeeperson for over 20 years, and served as a Presidential elector for Indiana in 1976. She and her husband attended the 1977 Inauguration of President Carter even though as an elector she cast her ballot for Gerald Ford. She served the Republican Women’s Club of Tippecanoe County for many years as secretary, vice president, and president. Eleanor was elected to the Wea Township Trustee advisory board where she served for 8 years. She wants it on the record that she is now (2023) a Democrat.

She participated in many aspects of League work and was particularly good at moderating large public forums. She credits the League with making her comfortable speaking in front of a large group. Eleanor initiated Republican primary candidate debates for the party, applying the League format which she found very effective.

Eleanor served the community outside of League in many ways. She was active in her church, teaching middle school Sunday school, and serving as deacon and on the board. She also was on boards of the United Way (chair of government and politics), YMCA (only the 2^nd woman to serve in that capacity), and Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM). Eleanor was an avid racquetball and ping pong player all her life. She credits her leadership abilities to the LWV because it gave confidence to talk in front of a group and lead discussions as well as inspiring her to look out in the community as to where she could be effective.

Eleanor is proud of her help and support of her husband as they worked to establish the Riggs Community Health Center which provides comprehensive primary health care to uninsured and under-insured men, women, and children.   It grew from serving 240 patients at the beginning to now having over 22,000 patient visits annually in 5 locations.

Eleanor received the 1997 Caucus Award sponsored by the League, YWCA and AAUW to recognize and honor her work in politics and government. We now know that community award as the Salute to Women. The award nomination noted her unique activities as someone political, but not elected to office. Her accomplishments were achieved as a nonpartisan person in a political situation. She stayed in the League because she’s a “news junkie” and read the newspaper every day of her life. League was a way to keep up and find nonpartisan information. She was particularly supportive of the consensus process and sought to apply it whenever appropriate.  

Betty Doversberger, president of League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette (the League) Board of Directors, 2007-2010, passed away on August 23, 2024. Betty was a strong supporter and steadfast leader for voting rights and education through the League and through her service as Chancellor of Ivy Tech Lafayette from 1986-2004. Upon her retirement from Ivy Tech, Betty joined the League in 2005 and ascended to the President of the Board in 2007. When she stepped down from the president’s position, Betty served one year as secretary.

Betty came to the League with leadership experience and proven ideas to move the League forward. Betty’s many ties in the community enhanced her accomplishments for the League. Her gentle leadership style along with her desire to increase the Leagues visibility in the community brought her success throughout her term. She presided over the League’s granting of the Making Democracy Work Award to Annette Gobin in September 2008.

Betty was also behind the rejuvenation of the League's finance campaign. She spearheaded the revised letter to the members of the League and to community members that knew her and worked with her in the past. Betty was always pursuing a goal but not without a lot of fun along the way. Betty invited League members to her home to complete the finance drive letter with personal notes. She carefully organized members to sign, stuff and address these important letters that connect the League to the community. As donations increased, our efforts, Betty’s organization and the wine and chocolate she provided for the evening were well worth it.

Betty was steadfast about writing articles and letters to the editor promoting League events and the League’s positions. The topics included support for voter registration, education of the public about candidates, promoting vote centers across the state, praising the county for promoting mental health screening for juveniles detained by the local police and celebrating both the 88^th and 90^th birthdays of the League. Her esteemed name was an asset to the League as she spoke in the community. Betty always gave 100% and greater Lafayette benefited from her expertise and kind heart.